First You Write: The Worst Way to Become an Almost Famous Author And The Best Advice I Got While Doing It

by Joni Rodgers

In her critically acclaimed, bestselling memoir, BALD IN THE LAND OF BIG HAIR (HarperCollins 2001), Joni Rodgers invited readers along on her family's harrowing (but hilarious) journey through the Badlands of cancer and self-discovery. In this mini-memoir, Rodgers expands on how events before, during and after her stint in chemo led to her becoming a New York Times bestselling author and celebrity ghostwriter.

Peppered with laughter and enriched with wisdom from friends and mentors, FIRST YOU WRITE challenges aspiring writers to reflect on what compels us to create and shares an optimistic but controversial take on where the publishing industry is headed.

"A lot of people ask me why a New York Times bestselling author repped by William Morris Endeavor would choose to indie publish," says Rodgers. "This is the answer. It isn’t perfect, but I tried to be true. And it's a quick read. I kept it short, because the best piece of writing advice I ever received was delivered to me by the late, great Rue McClanahan: Stop kvelling and get back to work."

The Center For Fiction lists FIRST YOU WRITE as an Essential Book For Writers, saying, "Rodgers’ writes with wit and candor not only about her circuitous route to becoming a New York Times bestselling memoirist and a critically acclaimed small-press novelist... Rodgers’ willingness to experiment (isn’t that what artists do?) and to turn preconceived publishing notions on their ear is wonderfully refreshing, and her whip-smart observations will keep you turning (virtual) pages."

KUDOS FOR AUTHOR JONI RODGERS:
"Rodgers is a pure storyteller. She writes with a wit, lyricism, humanity and joy that make her books impossible to put down."
Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin

"Alternately wrenching and humorous...Rodgers' strength is a womanly wise, laugh-through-tears appreciation of life."
Publishers Weekly

“Rodgers lives, loves and writes without a safety net… managing the rare literary feat of being painful and funny in one urgent breath.”
Entertainment Weekly

Genres: Writing, Memoir, Nonfiction

57 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 12, 2012

About the author

NYT bestselling author Joni Rodgers was born into a family of gospel/bluegrass musicians and grew up on stage, opening for huge-haired country music legends of the 60s and 70s. She continued performing until 1994, when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and used the chemo downtime to complete her first two novels, both of which were published to critical acclaim. Joni's memoir, Bald in the Land of Big Hair (Harper Collins 2001), garnered glowing reviews around the world, was excerpted in Good Housekeeping, condensed by Reader’s Digest, and is still in print after ten years. It also launched Joni's public speaking career and brought her to the attention of celebrities and others who began asking her to help them tell their stories. She's known on both coasts as a ghostwriter, book doctor and memoir guru who applies the fine art of fiction to the creation of well-crafted narrative nonfiction.

Between novels and ghostwriting projects, Joni volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and blogs about books and publishing on "Boxing the Octopus". Married to jet plane mechanic/wine maker Gary Rodgers since 1983, Joni is the proud mother of two fine young adults. She lives in Houston, Texas. Her latest book debuted at #6 on the NYT bestseller list.

“A mix of Moly Ivins' blowsy wit and Anna Quindlen's suburban logic...Rodgers manages the rare literary feat of being funny and painful in one urgent breath.”
~ Entertainment Weekly

Reviews

[Roy Murry · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's 2:00AM and I just finished Joni's excellent book on the profession of writing. Being a Newbie, newly published Author, http://www.amazon.com/The-Audubon-Cap..., I can relate to her story.

We all go through highs and lows in our lives. It's how we cope with those events. Joni copes well and knows how to get in the FLOW of writing. It took me 12 years to get my book published. First I had to get Govt. approval - two years ago and then I had to write it - not an easy task - I wasn't a writer. That's what I thought then. I proved myself wrong.

Now what do I do? FIRST YOU WRITE showed me ways to go, which I appreciate and will follow. The book deserves a second reading - next weekend. I'll be writing my second novel: The Three Wives of Don Quixote Smith. Maybe I'll go HYBRIDIZED. My first was published by Black Rose Writing.

I recommend this book to all Newbies.

[Briana Alzola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not an advice book person, but I thought there was some good advice in this. I was drawn more to the memoir portions of the book and about her life as a ghostwriter. I also really liked the end, with a bunch of advice from a bunch of a different writers.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since writing Bald in the Land of Big Hair Joni Rodgers has become a very successful author, with best-selling fiction and non-fiction to her credit. She has also made a successful career out of ghost writing, which she make fascinating in this book. This isn't a book on how to write, it's a book on how to get published and maintain a career. Of course, being Joni she uses amusing anecdotes to illustrate her points, but there are serious moments, too and she's always entertaining.

[Simon Bardwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really about how to write - more about what she wrote and when

I thought about three star and then decided "no it is better than that." it gives you a good understanding of what makes her tick. The catalyst for her writing - and her courage.

[Jamy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

An enjoyable memoir about Joni and the role writing has played in her life. There is definitely information to be learned about writing in this book; But this is, first and foremost, a memoir.

[Roz Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't a fluffy book about connecting with your inner muse or doing exercises. It's an honest, spunky journey from juvenile scribbler to NYT bestseller to one of the pioneers in the vanguard of the indie publishing movement. Whether you're pushing against boundaries in publishing, banging your head on a wall of writer's block - or just curious about how writers 'do it', Joni's frank story is sure to enlighten, inspire and entertain.

[Lorena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Of the many thousands of books written about writing, I'd say this book comes in just about last.